The European Council called on the European Commission and Member States to reinforce COST’s role as a leading networking instrument in the European Research Area (ERA).
On 01 December, a set of conclusions were adopted by the Council of the European Union, as part of a major overhaul of the European Research Area to build a more tangible and impactful arena for researchers, innovators and citizens throughout Europe. To achieve this goal the Council’s conclusions will be taken together with the European Commission’s communication ‘A new ERA for research and innovation,’ which was published on 30 September 2020.
New goals for the ERA were defined within the Council’s conclusions, identifying a number of priority fields. Particular emphasis was placed on creating closer research and innovation coordination at a regional, national and European level. The conclusions also stressed the need for the Commission and the member states to co-create and jointly implement a new ERA that enables research institutions, scientists, businesses and citizens to benefit.
Under the title of ‘Broad inclusiveness and access to excellence,’ the Council acknowledged the role of COST as ‘a significant R&I instrument and entrance portal to the European Research Area by fostering European and international research cooperation.’ They called upon ‘the European Commission and the Member States to reinforce COST’s role as a leading networking instrument in ERA through connecting, empowering and retaining, in particular, young researchers and to support the free circulation of scientists, including the development of research careers, in particular fostering the participation of European Neighbourhood countries through training schools and short-term mobility missions.’
Director of the COST Association, Ronald de Bruin said of the news “COST is a vital instrument for the further development of the European Research Area. It offers great value for money and a wealth of easily accessible benefits and opportunities, which facilitate breakthrough research within the wider science community and boosts careers on an individual level. The findings of the Council conclusions are testament to the COST research community who contribute so much to the ERA. I am proud to see their efforts recognised and research networking acknowledged as a vital tool for strengthening pan-European science, particularly in such a globally challenging year, which has highlighted the necessity of a strong and unified research and innovation landscape. Investing in COST is investing in the future of Europe.”
Further reading
European Council press release